stanton



Oct. 20, 1936.. s. J. 5. STANLTON 2,058,138

BA'I'HING TANK TY; I I I L16 I Filed Nov. 13, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 is.J. s. STANTON BATHING TANK 'Oct 20, 1936.

Filed Nov. 13, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 n T f .z [a 5 3 9a 1/17 BATHINGTANK Filed Nov. 13, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Oct. 20,1936. 5. J. s. STANTONBATHING TANK Filed Nov. 15, 1955 5 'SheetsShee t 5 FI L 2 8&8 W

Patented Get. 20, 1936 ear-Eur OFFICEYYJ BATHING TANK Samuel J. SamelowStanton, Chicago, 111.

Application November 13, 1935, Serial No. 49,545

14 Claims.

This invention introduces for modern home comforts a bathingtank-bathtub--showerstall. It can be used, with constantly changingwater, as a bathtub by a person in a reclining position,

, as a showerstall, and as a tank for a bather in a standing position.Home dwellers in the civilized world have enjoyed in successive stages,the wash basin, the bathtub and the showerbath, and now beholdthebathing tankbathtubshowerstall.

The device, in some respects an improvement on my Patent No. 2,015,021and my application for Patent No. 747,404, is installable underprevailing plumbing systems, connecting on to the usual hot and coldwater and the usual discharge pipes.

Its availability, as afforded in its present novel form, for daily usein transient or permanent abodes adds a refining mechanical conveniencenever before enjoyed by man.

Its inconspicuousness when installed, as a result of accomplisheduniqueness, while lending itself to attractiveness of shape and finishmakes it a utility conformable to modern plans of compactness combinedwith beauty and economy.

The apparatus as a who-1e does not require more bathroom floor spacethan the conventional bathtub, nordoes it interfere with .anystandardized arrangements of bathroom appurtenances.

can be manufactured in enameled iron or any other material used forbathtubs, yielding to any finishes available for other plumbingfixtures.

The foregoing as well as other novel features of this invention willbecome quite obvious or will suggest themselves for' contemplation asthis invention is further disclosed hereinafter in words and figures andby the accompanying numbered illustrations which are made a part of thisspecification.

In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a bathing tank.

Figure 2 represents a plan view of'the same utility.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross section taken on line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a similar section of a modified form. Figure 5 discloses asectional view of a portion of a building showing the construction ofbathrooms with bathing tanks.

Figure 6 reveals a modified form of bathing tank in section.

section of the bathing tank, a combination waterspout-showerhead. I

Figure 9 is a perspective form of a modified bathing tank. 7

Figure 10 is a fragmentary cross sectional view. ,5

Figure 11 demonstrates in sectional View the bathing tank in conjunctionwith a characteristic. form of its incorporation into a bathroom.

Figure 12 is a section taken on line l2-l2 in Figure 11. V 3

Referring to the drawings in detail: The numeral l0, Figure 1, points tothis novel bathing tank as a whole. It comprises preferably a hollowcasting having side walls 262l Figure 1, or 48 and 5! in Figure '7, andend walls 2829 in Figure 1, or as indicated, .by 18 and in Figure 9,which embrace a floor ll, Figure 1, occupying ordinarily the same floorspace as the conventional bathtub, but preferably having Walls, 48, 49,5E! and 5!, which give the vessel sufiicient depth to enable a person tostand substantially shoulder deep under the showerhead, 5,3.

These references show graphically how the device gives the dweller of anordinary apartment, residence or hotel the facility of a briskshowerbath, a reposeful bath in a reclining position and vigorousbathing in a standing position in continually changing water. e Thedepth of the bathing tank in excess of the conventional bathtub, itsprecursor, is made possible by utilizing space through the room floorand over the bathtub under the ceiling of the floor belowon the firstfloor it is space under the basement ceiling. This space has been boxedin in recent modern bathroom arrangements entirely for efiect, theeffect produced in the present invention ,by putting a housing .31)around the lowerpo-rtionbf the vessel protruding through the room floor.

A controlling feature of the present invention is uniqueness ofanchorage; Figure 1 discloses the preferred idea. Thisv comprises armsextending from the bathing tank. The arms reaching out from the bathingtank into abutting walls are shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, as flanges1.2- in Figures ,6 and 7 as flanges 52. The .arm reaching out from the.tub into the room is shown in Figures 1 and 2 as a floor H for the partof the room 35 not occupied by the bathing tank, which floor rests uponthe building floor 32 proper. The same. suspension device is numberedBlin Figure '7 and "M in Figure 9. a

In Figure 9, the anchorage arm extending from the tank is shaped into awindow frame ,82, with flanges 83 of said window frame extending 5,5

through the building wall 84. The window flange 83 embraces window 95.This modification of the main anchorage device, with a view to enameledfinish, converts the supporting arm into usefulness and beauty.

In Figure 11, the anchorage device assumes the form of a cradle in theshape of a plurality of bands 89, or rods, extending from an abuttingwall 92, under the tub 85 and over the part of the room floor 9| notoccupied by the tub. Numerals 86, 81. and 88 indicate grooves that mightbe provided in the tank to receive the bands 89, while 98 indicates aright angle bend in 89 extending into the wall for anchorage.

The inherent quality of beauty as well as utility of this devicemanifests itself even in the incorporation of these cradle bands. SeeFigure 12 showing the rods 89 in place between the tile floor covering94 over the bathroom floor 9i, which suggests the possibility of avariety of bathroom floor designs. The part of bands, or rods, 89, whichextend from the tub 85, over the floor 9|, may, instead of maintaining ahorizontal position, be extended and bent downward to maintain avertical position as legs for the cradle 88, 89 and 98, said legs torest on a support in the room below the tub. This cradle arrangement forsupporting the bathing tank in an opening through a floor is designedfor anchorage elements separate from-not as a part ofthe tank proper.

The novel bathing tank as here outlined reveals several devices fordescent into it. Steps 13-44, Figure 2, located at one end of the tub,or as shown in cross-section in Figure 3, are each substantially ofbathtub height, leading by two steps to section 24 of the unit.

Recesses 4245, incorporated in the wall 48 in Figure 6, show foot reststhat can be used instead of steps l3l4, which recesses replacing thesaid step make it possible to have use of the full bathing tank forbathing purposes.

Handle bars 4344 extending over the recessesor nichesd2- l5 suggestfurther means of foot support for getting in and out of the tub, whichhandle bars also provide safety means for the bather who finds themalways within his reach.

The bathing tank derives its unique characteristics further from theinclusion of water spouts 55 at the top of the chamber, which with theoutlets 62, 63, 5! and 61 in Figure 6 in proper coordination, can bekept filled substantially for the full height of the vessel, and byproper manipulation of the handle 54 which controls a header 59 itscontents can be kept in continuous circulation, or change oftemperature, for purity, comfort and stimulating impulses to body.

For the bather who desires a quick shower, the vessel includes ashowerhead 53 either above or below the vessel rim. Figure 8 shows ashowerhead 66 in conjunction with a waterspout 10 with a two way valve85 which arrangement affords water supply through either 0utlettheshower head or water spoutas desired.

For the bather who enjoys the reposeful virtues of a bathtub, thebathing tank includes a compartment 24, recessed from the superimposedcompartment 25, by a ledge 12. The facilities for supply and dischargecan be used to keep the water in proper depth for the bather to bathe ina reclining position.

This bathtub compartment 24 may be further contoured by having the headend slope as indicated by the dotted line 68 and the sides slope asindicated by the dotted lines 89. 6 and 5.

In Figures 2 and 5, the numeral l5 indicates a depression in the bottomstep, which can be used as a head rest, similar to that intended by thehead rest as indicated by the dotted line 68.

The floor H, Figures 2 and 5, is provided with upwardly-extended flanges15 which afford the protection to the bathroom walls usually afforded bybaseboards, and in addition to that-where this is made of material likeenameled iron the advantage of high finish, sanitation and beauty. A cutout l6a. or 39 may be included in any one of the flanges for athreshold, and the floor, a variation of the floor l l in Figure 1, mayembrace openings 40 which can be ornamented with tile settings. Thefloor may be reinforced by ribs 16b or ll.

The bathing tank herein described embodies other enhancing features,such as a curve front E211 and a panel indentation in the front walll2b, Figure 1, features which effect the pleasing reactions of themodern bathroom. Characteristics of utility and appeal inherent in thepresent domestic accession are augmented in several respects by furtheruniqueness of construction and economy of arrangement. See Figure 2,numerals I9, 29 and 2|. These suggest a plurality of novel drains. SeeFigure 6, numerals 55 and 53, which suggest a plurality of supplyspouts. The unit can by these means be filled up or emptied more quicklythan the small bathtub in common use today.

Numeral 61 in Figure 6 indicates an overflow safety opening. Numeral 81in Figure '7 indicates the inclusion of at least two such safetyoverflow openings, which device suggests means for complete overflowcontrol. Numeral ll, Figures l and 2, point out a form of safety handlebars, a variation of 43 in Figure 6. Numeral l8 See Figures in Figure 4refers to the same device as 53 in- Figure 6showerheads. These may bemade unscrewable from the water supply pipe, which can then be useddirectly as a spout. Numeral 22 in Figure 4 refers to the same facilityas numeral 61 in Figure 6, namely safety overflows which can be adjustedin size and numbers to allow the contents to rise to a limited heightand to prevent overflow into the room. A similar incorporated device isshown by the numerals I9, 28 and 2|, which permit discharge of contentsthrough the drain pipes i9a, 29a and Zia, all of which can be controlledby the single handle l9b operating the Valve at 23, Figure 4 and Figure5, a plurality of completely controlled outlets which make possible veryrapid discharge of contents.

Another important feature of this device is that despite its greatercapacity, it can be accommodated in any of the present size bathrooms.One of the common size bathrooms is 5' x 5'. The length of this tub maybe 5' and the width 2 which will fit into such a bathroom as indicatedin Figure 5 between the building wall 33 and the opposite bathroom wall3l-a total wall-to-wall distance of 5.

The usual inside height of such a bathroom is 9'. The preferred model ofthe herein indicated bathing tank extends about 18" above the roomfloor, and protrudes about 24" below the ceiling of the bathroomunderneath, allowing '12" for floor thickness. This leaves a space ofabout 5 from the top rim of the tank to the bottom of the tankprotruding from the overhead bathroom-just enough space to conform tothe ideas of comfort and beauty as advocated by the modern architect.The numeral 34 in Figure indicates a door in front of the thresholdopening I6a, which can be arrangedto complement each other for perfectclosure.

My device with its unique features disclosed and suggested lends itselfadequately to modern purposes, afiording a variety of new benefits.Numeral 96 in Figure 5 indicates a therapeutic lamp like the infra-redor violet red lamp--' which is just another suggestion of the fitness ofthis device for more scientific living. Perhaps the largest number ofpeople are not swimmers. They go into alake or a stream merely forimmersion. One of the invigorating effects of such immersion comes fromthe uniformity of temperature in the water around the body. Frequentlack of uniformity of water temperature under a shower is one of itsirritating influences. One of the objections to bathing in a muchfrequented city lake or stream is the impurity of water.

It becomes apparent from the claims and description herein presentedthat my bathing tank, among other purposes, affords the facility of, inaddition to bathing in constantly changing or percolating water, theadvantage of keeping the entire body of the bather uniformly immersed inwater, of changing for the entire body the temperature of the watergradually from one extreme to the other, or, by means like sprays forinstance, applying alternately hot and cold water to the body.

These advantages of my bathing tank, a facility more like the lake orstream than a bathtub or showerbath can ever be, and in some respectseven better than the lake, are available summer and winter where lakesor bathing streams are ac cessible only during a limited part of theyear for most communities.

My invention herein is susceptible to various changes and expansion. Thedetails shown are for purposes of disclosure and not as limitations. Theright is herein reserved to make such changes as properly fall withinthe scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A bathing tank, adapted to rest through a room floor, havingcontinuous walls sufilciently high vertically to extend a substantialdistance to a plane below and a substantial distance to a plane abovethe room floor, the part of the walls below the room floor embracing afloor, the complete tank without ceiling sufliciently deep internally toform a shower stall, the part of the walls above the room floorterminating in a substantially horizontal edge constituting the rim ofsaid bathing tank.

2. A bathing tank adapted to rest through a room floor having continuouswalls sufficiently high vertically to extend a substantial distance to aplane below and a substantial distance to a plane above the room floor,the part of the walls below the room floor embracing a floor, the partof the walls above the room floor terminating in a continuous rim, atleast one showerhead near the top rim, the complete tank, without aceiling, sufficiently deep internally to form a. showerstall.

3. A bathing tank substantially rectangular in cross-section at alllevels, adapted to rest through a room floor, said bathing tank havingfour walls in continuous formation sufficiently high vertically toextenda substantial distance to a plane below and a substantial distanceto a plane above the room floor, the part of the combined walls belowthe room floor embracing substantially a rectangular floor, the part ofthe combined walls above the room floor terminating correspondingly ina-continuous rectangular bathtub rim' at bathtub height from the roomfloor, at least one showerhead near the top rim,'the complete tank,without ceiling, sufliciently deep internally to form a showerstall, theexternal part of the bathing tank above the room floor being'shaped, insize, and in effect like a conventional bathtub.

4. A showerstall-bathtub-bathing tank sub stantially rectangular incross section at all levels, adap-tedto rest through a room floor, saidtank having four walls in continuous formation sufficiently'highvertically to extend a substantial distance to a plane below and asubstantial distance to a plane above the roomfloor, the part of thecombined walls below the room floor embracing substantially arectangular floor, the part of the combined walls above the room floorterminating in a continuous rectangular bathtub rim at bathtub heightfrom the room floor, the four upright walls of the tank in size and ineffeet a conventional bathtub above the room floor, recessed internallyat bathtub height from the bottom, the chamber part extended downwardfrom the thusly formed ledge internally shaped like a conventionalbathtub, the ledge effecting its rim, the walls embracing the thuslyinbuilt bathtub and rising through the ledge to the rim at the topconstituting a showerstall, provided with openings for plumbingconnections, including an opening in the floor for a drain and at leastone sho-werhead near the rim at the top, said floor embraced as the tankfloor constituting the receptor for the said showerstall,-the wallsthereof having embodied recesses in step'formation as foot rests from aplane above the receptor to a plane below the top rim of the saidshowerstall-bathtub-bathing tank.

5. A rectangular showerstall-bathtub-bathing tank comprisinglongitudinally two long rectangular and longitudinally two shortrectangular walls, in chamber formation, embracing a correspondinglyelongated floor constituting the bottom of said tank, said tank adaptedto be suspended partially above and partially below and through anopening in a room floor, the part of said tank above the floor effectingthe external walls of a conventional bathtub, the showerstalhbathtub-bathing tank unit provided with openings for plumbingconnections, at least one showerhead near the continuous rim at the top,the walls between the top rim and the bottom floor having embodiedrecesses conveniently disposed in step formation as footrests andspanned by rods constituting accessible safety handholds embodied in thewalls of the unit.

6. A bathing tank substantially rectangular in cross section at alllevels adapted to hang through a room floor, said bathing tank havingfour walls in continuous formation sufiiciently high vertically toextend a substantial distance to a plane below and a substantialdistance to a plane above the room floor, the part of the walls belowthe room floor embracing substantially a rectangular floor, the partofthe walls above the room floor in shape and size and externally ineifect a conventional bathtub, the complete tank provided with aplurality of showerheads at least one of them being near the top rim,vsufiiciently deep internally as a full height showerstall, one

a series of treads on the interior in stair formation from the top tothe bottom of the tank, said treads provided with openings for drains,the bottom tread indented to embrace a bathtub bathers headrest incline.

7. A bathing tank having on its exterior means for its suspensionthrough an opening in a room floor, and internally its walls niched indifferent parts, said niches conveniently disposed and spanned by barsas handholds, the niches as well as the handholds being integral partsof said bathing tank.

8. A bathing tank adapted to rest through a building floor havingcontinuous walls sufiiciently high vertically to extend a substantialdistance to a plane below and a substantial distance at all pointsgenerally to the same horizontal rim above the room floor, plumbingfacilities including drains at several levels and at least oneshowerhead near the top rim, the part of said tank walls below the roomfloor embracing a floor, the complete bathing-tank between the top rimand the embraced floor sufficiently deep internally to form ashowerstall fitted into a cradle attached to nearby supports.

9. A bathing tank as described having elements on part of its exterioras means of attachment to adjacent supports and on part of its exterioranchorage elements in size and shape adequate to formthe bathroom floorextending from the said bathing tank.

10. A bathing tank as described having anchorage elements on part of itsexterior shaped and formed to cover the bathroom floor extending fromthe said bathing tank and on part of its exterior anchorage elementsrising to and terminating in a window frame to fit into a correspondingopening of a building wall.

11. A rectangular showerstall-bathtub-bathing tank comprisinglongitudinally two short rectangular and longitudinally two longerrectangular walls, in chamber formation, embracing correspondingly afloor constituting the bottom of said tank, said tank adapted to besuspended through an opening in a room floor to the extent of aconventional bathtub above and substantially the same distance belowsaid room floor, the part of said tank above the room floor eiiectingthe external walls of a conventional bathtub, saidshowerstall-bathtub-bathing tank, provided with plumbing facilitiesincluding at difierent levels openings for drains and near the top rimat least one showerhead, the floor embraced as the tank floorconstituting the receptor for the subtending full height showerstall,the walls thereof having embodied recesses as footrests from a planeabove the bottom to a plane below the top rim of the saidshowerstall-bathtub-bathing tank, the complete vessel fitted into acradle attached to nearby supports.

12. A bathing tank substantially rectangular in cross section at alllevels, adapted to rest through a'room fioor, said tank having fourwalls in continuous formation sufficiently high vertically to extend toa plane below and a substantial distance to a plane above the roomfloor, the part of the combined walls below the room floor embracingsubstantially a rectangular floor, the part of the combined walls abovethe room floor terminating in a continuous substantially rectangularbathtub rim at bathtub height from the room fioor, the complete tank,without ceiling, suificiently deep internally to form a showerstall,with the part of the tank above the room floor shaped, in size and inefiect a conventional bathtub, said showerstallbathtub-bathing tankprovided with openings for plumbing connections, at least one showerheadnear the rim at the top, one wall of said tank inset at different levelsto form a series of treads on the interior in stair formation, at leastone of said treads provided with an opening for a drain, the bottomtread and the riser under it indented and curved to form a bathtubbathers headrest incline, the walls of the vessel on the interiorembodying U-shaped. handlebars as safety handholds.

13. A showerstall-bathtub-bathing tank, adapted to rest through a roomfloor, having continuous walls sufficiently high vertically to extend asubstantial distance to a plane below and a substantial distance to aplane above the room floor, the part of the walls below the room floorembracing a floor, the part of the walls above the room floorterminating in a continuous rim, at least one showerhead near the toprim, the complete tank, without a ceiling, sufficiently deep internallyto form a showerstall, the walls thereof having at difierent levelsembodied recesses spanned integrally by bars conveniently shaped asfootholds and handholds.

14. A bathing tank having on its exterior means for its suspensionthrough an opening in a room floor, and internally one wall inset atdifferent levels to form a series of treads on the interior in stairformation from the top to the bottom of the tank, said treads providedwith openings for drains, the bottom tread indented to embrace a bathtubbathers headrest incline.

S. J. S. STANTON.

